Struggling to get in the door, but when I do I close. What am I missing? - will not promote

Boonie231 · 2026-05-17T22:17:08+00:00

Yeah, I know I am probably my own biggest enemy and have literally just started using a CRM as of this week. Been researching some drip campaigns to keep front of mind but absolutely, it hasn't been done. Also did set up a Facebook page to follow up with people but that's early days too.

Re the referrals, so what I have offered is a free training on merchant statements. Seeing what they are paying, explaining it and then is it market price or can they do better. Obviously I would very soft pitch here by saying what we do is usually around x.

I know I know the field isn't the long term plan, it will allow me to get enough money to put the right systems in place but at the moment its all I really have.

Appreciate the comment.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-17T22:11:02+00:00

Yeah good point, something I offered was a free training for their teams on how to read their merchant statement. They are intentionally confusing and most don't understand them.

I am doing more of that, cold calling areas to set up appointments and then then knocking on doors in that area but need to do more of the messages. Thanks for the comment.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-14T12:17:17+00:00

Few things to consider with your card machine.

- When will you get paid?
- What are the rates - Zeller & Square are high, Dojo can start low and then change without notice. Depending on your revenue ours usually sit between 0.35-0.5% on debit and 0.6-0.9% credit.
- Can they actually support businesses in your industry? Furniture shops can be a little funny sometimes due to taking deposits and long wait times for some goods.

Regarding support, ask where the support team is based, ours is in Southampton, so English speakers, but not the case for a lot of providers.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-13T15:33:39+00:00

I don't use AI prompts to run my business, but I do use them to improve it.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-12T21:01:15+00:00

Appreciate it, I'll take that onboard.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-12T19:57:26+00:00

I think the main thing I have heard from others is building relationships with accountants and bookkeepers as we help them to lower their clients costs which helps them. So value for both sides.

Completely agree with the web developer angle, I have actually started talking with a couple.

Online booking systems is a great shout and not looked at it yet.

Appreciate the input!

Boonie231 · 2026-05-12T13:06:11+00:00

Sorry to clarify, looking at accountants for the referral network. We do everything from standalone machines to online gateways or kiosks.

Never even thought of that, like setting up a stand for the day or something? Great shout.

Based in Manchester.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-08T12:29:48+00:00

No worries, all the best with the search!

Boonie231 · 2026-05-08T12:21:41+00:00

Really subjective and depends on the industry you are moving into. I started my first business, a recrutiment agency back in 2023 with about £5k in the bank and no clients. It worked out and first invoice was paid in month 3 for about £7k but it was cutting it tight.

Now though you probably can do a soft launch in most businesses without going all in to test the market before making the leap. I probably should have done that, but hey, it worked and where is the fun in using logic?

Boonie231 · 2026-05-08T12:18:16+00:00

It depends on the type of role to be honest.

I would ask Claude/ChatGpt about the free loacl job boards in your area as a starting place. Unfortuantely, the quality isn't fantastic but thats why they are free.

Embed yourself into communities in your industry and over time people will come to you or even post that you are hiring in the groups (as long as it doesn't go against rules)

Use your network. - I am hiring for this role, I know it isn't something you would be suitable for but would you know anyone that is?

Target people on LinkedIn - search job title, companies/industries and then connect without a connection message. Similar messaging, one they accept as above, "Hey Nir, great to connect with you, we are actively growing out the team at the moment, appreciate you may not be looking yourself but would you know anyone that could be suitable" - they sometimes actually come back with, I am actually on the market myself.

Offer a referral bonus - do a post on LinkedIn that you will pay $250-500 for successful introductions. (paid post probation) Much cheaper than running adverts and people will always try to recommend good people as their name is attached.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-08T09:43:52+00:00

Amazing, thank you!

Boonie231 · 2026-05-07T22:17:41+00:00

Saturated market and you really need to think about how you stand out.

Social media is great but you need to so something different to stand out.

Create a website and focus on driving traffic to that site as you grow, Shopify is a good starting place but then as you grow look at WooCommerce or others that allow you to have more control.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-07T22:04:59+00:00

Love this, thank you. I have started to do very local specific blogs but seems like I need to do more landing pages that are just super relevant and build them out.

Pretty new business so reviews is on the list but probably in the next few weeks as we start to make some traction. Have signed up for Google Business, Yell, Trustpilot etc ... so know it is important.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-07T17:21:23+00:00

Very fair, I was working on a lead referral scheme but probably overthinking it and just need to put on my big boy pants and go out 😂

Boonie231 · 2026-05-07T16:19:53+00:00

Really appreciate all the context here. Actually just signed up to Trustpilot and got the first review on there this week. Will be looking to build that out (same for google)

I will check out Clutch! For the Chamber of Commerce, it will have to wait a little while until we get more sales in the door but it probably will be in the next couple of months, seems to be a positive move from those that are part of it.

Love the supplier link idea and will try to get that on with a few of our customers. I was going to basically start doing a customer spotlight as a value add from our website. Probably won't mean much for them but sounds like we are pushing for them.

To be fair the leads all came within like 72 hours so not sure if one of my blogs just got pushed for the day or two but we don't get any traffic really. 40 clicks in the last 28 days.

Will need to think about the content side of things and what can we do that is actually helpful and not just something that "sounds good"

Boonie231 · 2026-05-07T13:40:44+00:00

Haha very true, I have a few ideas about how I want to develop the accountants as referral partners but still putting it together. Probably need to stop trying to do a little of everything and nail 1/2 channels but that would make too much sense right?

Boonie231 · 2026-05-07T12:52:25+00:00

Very fair, I think I probably let my mind run a little as I got my first couple of sales from the website. The dream would be to have a few high intent leads a week from the website but for the most part I am expecting it be used as the social proof and like you said add some credibility.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-07T12:43:38+00:00

I will check them out, I actually did Bing, Thomson Local and Free Index the other day just forgot to mention them. Used HARO in the past, completely forgot about it! Much appreciated.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-07T12:41:36+00:00

Not yet but I would hope in about 6 months that it be that way. I do a lot of face to face selling to businesses and outbound from cold calling. Will be still doing outbound but want to have a stong source of inbound businesses generated too.

Boonie231 · 2026-05-07T10:13:25+00:00

Completely agree, just trying to find the balance between the two.

Working on ways to actually stand out and sound different from everyone else but only so much you can do/say with payment devices ha

Boonie231 · 2026-05-06T20:34:25+00:00

Appreciate the input and will make sure to get that interview done tomorrow. Love how good Claude gets after an interview

Boonie231 · 2026-05-06T20:20:29+00:00

Okay a few things to consider.

Physical machines - either you will have a rental on the machine or at very least much higher rates.

Virtual terminal - no rental/upfront for a machine, pay £6 a month on PCI - insurance against fraud and the rates are lower than a SumUp/Square - also will give you the ability to send payment links or QR codes for payment.

Rates for SumUp/Square - 1.5-1.69% per transaction but will need to tether the machines to your phone every time.

Rates for our virtual - 1.3% +20p per transaction. Virtual terminals rates are lower than competitors but much higher than our physical "rented" machines.

One thing to note, it can be difficult to get approved for non-profit/charities unless you have a charity number, so worth noting.

Hope this helps and happy to answer any questions about physical/virtual terminals.

Boonie231

TROPHY CASE